Kumaun

geocultural region, Uttarakhand, India

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 19, 2026

Quick Summary

Kumaun is a geocultural region located in the west-central part of the Himalayas in northern India. It forms a significant portion of the state of Uttarakhand. The region extends from the Sutlej River in the west to the Kali River in the east.

The Kumaun Himalayas include parts of the Siwalik Range and the Great Himalayas. Its highest peak is Nanda Devi, reaching 25,646 feet (7,817 meters). The area is characterized by permanent snow cover at higher elevations, with glaciers feeding the headstreams of the Ganges River. Lower elevations feature temperate climates suitable for settlement, agriculture, and forestry. Towns like Almora and resorts such as Mussoorie and Nainital are situated within or near the region.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Uttarakhand
Population composition
…of the state, and the Kumaun, which spans the southeast. Rajputs (various clans of landowning rulers and their descendants)—including members of the indigenous Garhwali, Gujjar, and Kumauni communities, as well as a number of immigrant peoples—constitute a large portion of the population. Of the total population, nearly one-fifth belongs to…
Read More
…of the state, and the Kumaun, which spans the southeast. Rajputs (various clans of landowning rulers and their descendants)—including members of the indigenous Garhwali, Gujjar, and Kumauni communities, as well as a number of immigrant peoples—constitute a large portion of the population. Of the total population, nearly one-fifth belongs to…
Read More